Sally's Sights Turn To Brissy Gold

MARY Burman is never one to wrap her dogs until they prove themselves on the racetrack.

So when Mary declares Champagne Sally “can find a length or two” for the heats of the Group 1 Albion Park Gold Cup (710m) this week, it is worth noting at least.
Champagne Sally (Barcia Bale-Bizarre Barbie) led throughout to win her second successive Winter Chase (710m ) at Albion Park last Thursday night in 41.68 beating Donny's Beach and Gelantipy Gold.
It took her record to 63 starts for 21 wins and $129,000 in stakes.
“She went to Melbourne and finished third in the Zoom Top and then came on season and missed the Super Stayers,” said Mary.
“She was underdone for the Winter Chase heats and I knew she would improve for the final. But, I believe there is another length or two improvement for the Gold Cup heats as well.”
Mary, and her trainer husband Ray, are looking forward to the next few months with record-breaking bitch Champagne Sally.
After the Gold Cup series, the four-dog Superstayers Invitation will be run and then followed by the 710m State Of Origin series.
“And that will just about lead into the Nationals,” said Mary.
“It will be nice to have the home ground advantage for the distance races with Sally. Yes, the southerners will be hard to beat in the Gold Cup and Robbie Britton is certain to bring all his stars with him.
“But she is on her home track and racing as well as ever. We look forward to it.”
Champagne Sally has now broken three track records, the 520m and 630m at Ipswich and the 600m at Albion Park.
Her mother Bizarre Barbie has just been mated to Victorian stud dog Fabregas for her third litter.
The Burmans would love nothing better than to add a Group 1 to Champagne Sally's burgeoning resume.
“The Winter Chase will be a Group 3 from next year,” said Mary.
“But for the past two years when Sally has won it, the race was not a Group event.”